Contempt of Court in Polk County, Florida

Polk County prosecutes contempt of court charges more aggressively than the statewide average. The guilty rate of 78.2 percent is substantially higher than typical, and the dismissal rate of 2.3 percent trails the statewide average of 5.9 percent by 3.6 percentage points, suggesting the State Attorney's office in this circuit prioritizes conviction over case dismissal. The withheld adjudication rate of 14.5 percent slightly exceeds the statewide average of 10.2 percent, meaning some defendants avoid a formal conviction on their record, but overall Polk County secures guilty outcomes in contempt cases far more often than prosecutors elsewhere in Florida.

When contempt convictions occur in Polk County, confinement is common: 44.6 percent of defendants receive jail time, with an average sentence of 145 days and a median of 120 days. Probation accompaniment is standard, averaging 358 days. Financial penalties average $135. Public defenders represented about 30 percent of defendants, while 10.6 percent retained private counsel, leaving a substantial share without detailed representation records in this data.

2.3% of Contempt of Court cases in Polk County are dismissed — below Florida's statewide average of 13.4%. Polk County is tougher than typical on these cases, so the attorney you pick matters more here.

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482
Total Cases
78.2%
Guilty Rate
14.5%
Withheld Rate
2.3%
Dismissal Rate
4.8 months
Avg Sentence

Outcome Breakdown

Guilty
78.2% (377)
Withheld
14.5% (70)
Diversion
1.2% (6)
Dismissed
2.3% (11)
Acquitted
1.5% (7)

Sentencing Breakdown

4.8 months
Avg Sentence
4.0 months
Median Sentence
11.9 months
Avg Probation
$135
Avg Fine
0.0%
Prison Rate
44.6%
Jail Rate
Confinement Type Count Avg Sentence
County Jail 215 4.8 months

Counsel Analysis

251
Self or Unrepresented
76.9% guilty · 1.6% dismissed
146
Public Defender
86.3% guilty · 2.1% dismissed
51
Private Attorney
72.5% guilty · 0.0% dismissed

Demographics

Demographic data reflects systemic patterns in the criminal justice system and should not be used to draw conclusions about any racial or ethnic group. Disparities may reflect differences in policing, prosecution, and socioeconomic factors rather than actual crime rates.

Race Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate
White 361 77.3% 2.2%
Black 116 82.8% 2.6%

Age Distribution

2.3%
Under 21
18.3%
21-29
41.5%
30-39
23.0%
40-49
9.1%
50-59
5.8%
60+

Year-Over-Year Trends

Year Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate Avg Sentence
2023 136 80.1% 1.5% 4.3 months
2024 185 76.8% 2.2% 4.5 months
2025 161 78.3% 3.1% 5.6 months

Charge Level Breakdown

Level Degree Cases
Misdemeanor First Degree 473
Not Applicable Not Applicable 8
Felony Third Degree 1

Related Charges in Polk County

Charge Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate
Traffic Offense 24,337 49.3% 0.2%
Drug Possession 17,533 79.4% 0.2%
Other 8,162 43.2% 4.2%
Larceny / Theft 7,849 67.0% 0.6%
Resisting Officer 6,824 77.3% 1.3%
Battery 5,519 61.5% 2.4%
Trespassing 4,467 80.6% 3.7%
DUI 2,665 97.8% 0.8%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the guilty rate for Contempt of Court in Polk County?
The guilty rate is 78.2% based on 482 cases (2023-2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Contempt of Court in Polk County?
Adjudication is withheld in 14.5% of cases. This is a Florida-specific outcome where the court finds guilt but does not formally convict, allowing the defendant to avoid a conviction record under FL Statute 948.01.
What is the average sentence for Contempt of Court in Polk County?
The average sentence is 4.8 months, with an average fine of $135.
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
30.3% of defendants use a public defender, while 10.6% retain private counsel.

About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Polk County. "Guilty" includes all cases where the defendant was found guilty. "Adjudication withheld" is a Florida-specific disposition where guilt is found but the court withholds formal adjudication under FL Statute 948.01. "Dismissed" includes all cases dismissed by the court or prosecution.

Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 482 cases · 2023-2025 · Data last updated March 2026